a. Basco and Mahatao – The tatayas are identical in these two towns since they share the same fishing ground and techniques. The boats are nicely rounded. Their lagkaw (ribs) are thin at 2.5-3.5 centimeters with a width of 7-9 centimeters. The planks measure 1.75-2.5 centimeters thick. It has three tavas (planks) plus the pamekpekan (topmost part of the plank). Its front portion is raised higher than the middle. The width is almost the same throughout at 2/3 of a meter from each tip at which point it curves to join the lachid (stern). In the water line, however, the tavas are given a twist to create a sharp tip to the lachid. The tatayas they build are smooth. Its varukan (caulk) stay close together and is generally well cared for.
b. Itbayat Tataya – The tataya here is built for stability: wide body, flat bottom and has four tavas plus the sheer plank. The prow and stern are rounded, not pointed as in other towns. The manpid (second-tier plank from the bottom) is 2.5-3 centimeters thick but the planks are thinner above the water line. The sheer plank is only 1.25-1.5 centimeters thick. It has a patid (outrigger) that is only used in the bigger boats in the other municipalities. The people do not build tatayas smaller than the suhuan. Their suhuan is about 4 meters long, 1.10-1.35 meters wide and 48 centimeters deep in the middle, built of strong yet light wood.
c. Sabtang Tataya – The front and stern of tatayas made in Sabtang are very pointed
and shallow. The karakuhan is 4-4.8 meters long, 1-1.25 meters wide and 38-40 centimeters deep. Its tavas are very thin at 1.5-2 centimeters; they use only pasitan. It also has a sintas (a part that makes the boat more steady) which is not found in tatayas made in Ivana. A pinatapid (third-tier plank) is also attached to the pamekpekan and the pasitan is fastened and placed on top of it.
d. Uyugan Tataya – The tatayas are built for durability, maneuverability and stability. It is shorter than the tatayas of Mahatao and Basco and the sides are higher than those in Ivana and Sabtang. It is about 4.20 meters long, 1.2 meters wide and 48 centimeters deep. Its tavas are thick at 2.5 centimeters and its side is open. It is very heavy compared to others.
e. Ivana Tataya – They build maneuverable tatayas. The height is slightly lower than the Uyugan tatayas. The suhuan are short and wide, 3.8-4.20 meters in length and an average of 1.15 meters wide. Height averages 42 centimeters. The lagkaw is almost squared 4-5 centimeters in thickness and 6-7 centimeters in width. It does not have a sintas. The lagkaw from other tatayas in other towns are only 2.5 centimeters thick. The managad (keel) and the manpid are made from a single log, saving one step in tataya making, making it sturdier. However, the finish is not at par with the workmanship of Sabtang and Basco, Mahatao tatayas.
Marlu C. Gabilo
IVATAN, BATANES ISLAND GROUP PROVINCE, NORTHERN PHILIPPINES. Each household in Batanes traditionally owns two to three houses: the screened raku or savahay (the living room, bedroom and the area for keeping household paraphernalia which should not be exposed to soot), kusina (kitchen, cooking, dining, storage for food both fresh and preserved), rahaung (not for human shelter but for farm and fishing paraphernalia as well as for a chicken nest [vinahayan]). There are many types that conform to certain periods in time, ethnic groupings and functionality. Described in this article are traditional houses found in Barangay Itbud in the municipality of Uyugan.
Sinadumparan Ivatan House Types
Typhoon-swept people like the Itbayat adapt their houses to the whimsy of the winds.
SINADUMPARAN is a low, stone and lime-walled house with thick cogon roof. It is usually 4-5 meters in width and 6-7 meters in length. Its walls have a thickness of a meter or so and a usual height of 5-6 meters from the ground. The floor plan is rectangular, commonly in two stories, composed of the basement (ahbu) and the upper story (sahad). Both kitchen and main building are similar in shape but differ in height, with the main being higher. The two structures are connected by a batalan, which is level to the floor of the kitchen. There are two or three steps going up the main structure.
Chivuvuhung – The walls of this structure are made of thatched cogon enclosing the floor space on all sides. This houses the hearth on one end with a sleeping area on the other.
Kamadid – This has a low structure made entirely of wood, reeds and cogon. It has a triangular shape when viewed from the front, with the two sides serving as its roof going down to its walls. It has a trapezoidal shape as seen from the side view where both ends are open. This type of house is commonly used as a shelter for fishing boats and other seacrafts. Very few of these remain today.
Mayhurahed – This resembles the chivuvuhung. The only difference is that this has a low wall made of stone, chopped cogon and mud or lime and sand between the ground and the cogon sides which is called hurabed.
Maytuab/Nituavan – The four sides of the roof of this structure tapers upward to the top to form a trapezoidal shape on the two opposite longer sides and triangular on the other two opposite shorter sides. It has a low basement.
Rahaung (A) – This is more complex than the kamadid. Its triangular cogon roof is lifted from the ground by four or more wooden posts.
Rahaung (B) – This essentially has the same basic structure as the (A) variant with an additional protection in the form of cogon and reeds on both ends.
Sinadumparan – A house with walls and sides made of stone and mortar. The narrower side walls are extended upward forming a triangle to which its cogon roof is leveled. It has a low basement used for storage or shelter for animals.
Sinadumparan a binedberan – This structure’s slight difference with sinadumparan is the way the roof is made. The roof is placed above and extends to the triangular wall.
Felix Y. Adami
ITBAYAT, BATANES ISLAND GROUP PROVINCE, NORTHERN
PHILIPPINES. The woven cone-shaped yuvuk (basket for women) is common in Itbayat, Batanes. The basket is shaped like an inverted cone and cannot stand upright by itself. It is carried at the back with a strap sling to the head called apid.
The persistence of old traditions into the modern times, is seen in this desolate mountain road, where both people burdened with yuvuk, and carabaos bearing people bearing yuvuks, pass one another.
